Asthma is a common airways disease affecting one in nine to ten Australians.

Asthma causes the muscles in the airways to tighten and the lining of the airway becomes swollen and inflamed, producing sticky mucous; making it difficult to breathe.

Asthma can be triggered by a range of factors such as pollen, house dust mites, cigarette smoke, exercise or associated with a cold. It is often associated with other allergic conditions like hay fever and eczema.

Symptoms of asthma:

Asthma tends to run in families. Asthma affects everyone differently, typical asthma symptoms include:

• wheezing – a whistling noise when breathing

• shortness of breath

• a tight feeling in the chest

• coughing

These symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning or during exercise.

Some common triggers are:

• allergy triggers such as house dust mites, pollens, pets and moulds

• cigarette smoke

• viral infections – for example, colds and flu

• cold air or changes in the weather

• work-related triggers – for example, wood dust, chemicals, metal salts

• some medication

In addition, asthma can also be triggered by an uncommon combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm. This is known as epidemic thunderstorm asthma. These events are uncommon but can happen in south-east Australia during the grass pollen season.

Treatment for asthma

Asthma can be well controlled with the appropriate medication in almost all people. The main types of asthma medication are:

• relievers act quickly to relax the muscles around the airways. Relievers are used during an asthma attack

• preventers slowly make the airways less sensitive to triggers and reduce inflammation inside the airways. Preventers are taken daily to help keep you well

• combination therapies that are preventers containing two different medicines

Management of asthma

Your doctor will prescribe the correct medication and explain how to use it. For good asthma management, it is important that you:

• See your doctor for regular check-ups

• Understand what triggers your asthma

• Avoid or reduce your exposure to these triggers

• Use your medications as instructed

• Make sure you are using your inhaler (puffer) correctly, including using a spacer where required

• Follow your written Asthma Action Plan

An Asthma Action Plan helps you remember your medicines, helps recognise worsening asthma, and tells you what to do in response.

If your child has asthma, give copies of the action plan to the school and to anyone else who regularly looks after your child.

What to do during an asthma attack

An asthma attack can come on gradually or quite quickly. The symptoms to look out for include:

• increasing wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing

• needing to use a reliever again within three hours of last taking it

• waking often at night with asthma symptoms

An asthma attack can become life threatening if not treated properly.

If someone is getting an asthma attack, follow the instructions in their Asthma Action Plan. If they don’t have an action plan or you aren’t sure what to do, follow the four steps of asthma first aid.

Always call an ambulance in an asthma emergency

Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack. The signs of an asthma emergency include when the person:

• finds it very difficult to breathe

• is unable to speak comfortably or if their lips are turning blue

• has symptoms that get worse very quickly

• is getting little or no relief from their reliever inhaler

While waiting for the ambulance, continue to follow the four steps of asthma first aid and give four puffs of reliever medication every four minutes.